Calls for Police to reconsider charges in Roast Busters case

Thursday, 19 March 2015, 10:10 pm
Press Release: ActionStation

Petition calls for Police to reconsider charges in Roast Busters case

Thursday 19 March 2015

In light of the Independent Police Conduct Authority’s report into Police handling of the Roast Busters case, social justice community ActionStation have today launched a petition calling for Police to re-open their investigation.

The IPCA found that “the officers should have identified the connections between the various cases and worked with other agencies to develop strategies to reduce the recurrence of what was clearly unacceptable and, in some cases, criminal behaviour” and that “Investigating staff also failed to properly consider all available offences in determining whether to prosecute the men".

ActionStation represents more than 30,000 progressive New Zealanders, and is launching the petition with the goal of helping the victims who came forward find justice.

“The young women and girls who spoke to Police were told no charges could be laid until one of them was ‘brave enough’ to go to court,” says ActionStation National Director Marianne Elliott referring to comments by Detective Inspector Bruce Scott in November 2013 “but now we know that may not be the case, and our members think these survivors are owed a better process.”

The petition will run for three weeks, after which it will be delivered to Police Commissioner Mike Bush and Police Minister Michael Woodhouse.

“This is a case that shocked the nation. Now we know for sure that Police missed potential ways to prosecute the alleged offenders, we think kiwis who care about justice for these young women will help pressure Police to do the right thing.” Says Elliott.

ENDS

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